Information for Schools

School students in Western Australia are invited to join the LibraryCraft Minecraft Server. LibraryCraft is a free Minecraft Server for WA children aged 7 to 17. It is a 24/7 server, meaning it’s available at any time, from anywhere with an internet connection. The current server owner is John Geijsman, Early Childhood Programs Officer at Fremantle Library.

LibraryCraft is operated and funded by 30 local governments across Western Australia.

The Basics

What is Minecraft?
Minecraft is known as a ‘sandbox game’. Created 10 years ago, it’s a virtual space where players can create their own worlds, buildings and things to explore. Players can play in Single Player mode, or Multiplayer mode through public or private worlds called servers. LibraryCraft is one of those servers.

There are two versions of Minecraft – Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. Java Edition is the original and most supported version which runs on PC, Mac or Linux. Bedrock Edition runs on iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, Wii and Nintendo Switch.

How do I play on LibraryCraft?
You need the base game on PC, Mac or Linux (Java Edition) in order to play. If you haven’t paid for the game, it will cost around AU $35. It is not possible to access LibraryCraft using Bedrock or Education Editions.

At it’s core, LibraryCraft makes use of Java Edition, with extra features called plugins. These plugins allow server operators to add extra elements to the game that aren’t included in the base (or ‘vanilla’) game. LibraryCraft uses plugins to add features like regions, land claims, rollback protection, a functional shop and economy system, and mini games. Check the LibraryCraft home page and scroll to the plugins list to see what we currently have installed.

LibraryCraft is a whitelisted server. A whitelist restricts who can and cannot join a server – it’s a list of usernames that are approved to join. When signing up to LibraryCraft, users must provide their active Java Edition usernames. A team member will verify the username is active, and once all information has been received (proof of age etc), will add the username to the whitelist.

LibraryCraft also has moderators – players with an extra level of responsibility and power. All current moderators are either Library staff, or official council volunteers. The moderators are there to help players if they are lost or stuck, to offer advice, judge our competitions, and create awesome content for the players. They are also there to ensure player safety online – making sure the rules are followed for the safety of all involved.

School Promotion Resources

Why should we promote the server in our school?

Minecraft has excellent benefits to a player’s skills and education, all while being a lot of fun! It will provide something new to your school – a safe, secure, moderated online environment for players to:

stretch their creativity
strengthen their teamwork skills
solve problems together
engage in group builds, big or small
strengthen their social skills in a different context
learn about resource management and basic economics through the in-built Economy system
exercise their spatial awareness through navigating expansive worlds and cave systems
build on all of the STEAM skills
- Science through crafting and item creation
- Technology through engaging with the Server Owner about how Minecraft servers work
- Engineering and Maths through coding and redstone creations (redstone is the in-game conductive element)
- Art through designing pixel-art images and structures